“Yes – of course,” Pandia murmured.
“How is your brother,” the Earl asked Lord Silvester, “still in Egypt?”
Automatically while the Earl was talking, Pandia had poured out a cup of tea for Lord Silvester, but now without touching it he rose to his feet.
“As I have a great deal to do before I leave at the end of next week,” he said, “I am sure you will forgive me if I hurry to my next appointment.”
“I am glad you were able to be at the funeral, Silvester,” the Earl replied. “Come and see us when next you visit England. Will that be in five years or ten?”
He laughed, but it did not seem like a joke to Pandia. She only felt as if this was the end of everything that mattered to her.
It was as if for one moment she had held the bluebird of happiness in her hands and now it was flying away
